Front hitch system

ABSTRACT

A hitch assembly includes a base member, an extension arm and an A-frame for supporting any of a plurality of implements. An elevating cylinder is connected to raise and lower the extension arm. Additionally, lateral cylinders are synchronized to move in unison to pivot the hitch assembly laterally side to side. The first respective ports of the lateral cylinders are directly connected together facilitate synchronous movement. A universal joint is connected between the arm and A-frame to coordinate up and down and left and right movement of the hitch assembly.

This application claims priority from Provisional application, Ser. No.60/336,061, filed Oct. 26, 2001 and titled FRONT HITCH SYSTEM.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the art of tractors hitches, and morespecifically to multi-axes tractor hitches having an A-frame attachedbracket that does not bind when actuated.

B. Description of the Related Art

Hitches are well known in the art to be attached to a tractor or otherutility vehicle. Hitches are typically constructed to receive one of aplurality of implements, such as snowplows, dirt plows and the like.Vehicles hitches may include multiple cylinders and a complexconfiguration of structural support members that facilitate maneuveringthe hitch assembly up/down and left/right.

In one aspect of hitch operation, the cylinders that move the hitch canbind the structural support members during operation, reducingperformance of hitch assembly. Additionally, multiple axes of movementwithin the hitch assembly can further complicate coordination ofengaging the hitch actuators, which may be hydraulic cylinders, furtherrequiring complex and expensive mechanisms to control movement of thehitch assembly. What is needed is a simple and effective way tosimultaneously actuate multiple actuators facilitating multiple axes ofmovement for the hitch assembly.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a tractorimplement hitch that reduces the space requirements and that can bevertically adjusted and laterally pivoted.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the moment armforces of a hitch assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide remotecontrol of the adjustable hitch axes.

It is even another object of the present invention to providesimultaneous movement of the hitch axes.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to providesynchronized movement of the actuators.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided: a tractorhaving wheels and an engine mounted thereon for providing power to thetractor. A hitch is provided, having a hitch frame, wherein the hitchframe is fixedly connected to the tractor frame for use in supportingand maneuvering an associated implement. The hitch is comprised of anassembly of rigid frame members operatively connected to a plurality ofactuating means for use in orienting the hitch with respect to thetractor frame. A tractor pump is provided for use in supplying hydraulicpower to the hitch actuating means. The hydraulic power is controlled bya valve means, which is operatively connected to a control lever,wherein an operator selectively adjusts the lever, resulting inadjustment of the orientation of the hitch assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention with reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor with a hitch assembly.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the front of the tractor showing the hitchassembly.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the hitch assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the hitch assembly.

FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of the frame of the tractor andhydraulic hoses and tubes.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tractor showing the remote controllever for actuating the hitch assembly.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forpurposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 depicts a tractor shown generallyat 1. The tractor 1 may have a frame 3 for supporting the components ofthe tractor 1. An engine is shown generally at 5 for use in providingpower to the tractor 1. The engine 5 may be connected to the frame 3 ina manner well known in the art. The tractor 1 may include first andsecond front ground engaging wheels 8, 8′ and first and second rearground engaging wheels 9, 9′. However, any number of ground engagingwheels may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. The groundengaging wheels 8, 8′, 9, 9′ may be rotatably connected with respect tothe frame 3 of the tractor 1 for use in facilitating locomotion for thevehicle 1. The tractor 1 may have first and second ends 10, 11, whichmay be front and rear ends 10, 11. A hitch 15 may extend from the frame3 of the tractor 1 proximate to the first end 10 of the tractor 1. Morespecifically the hitch assembly 15, or hitch 15, may include a basemember 30 that is fixedly attached to the frame 3 via fasteners or otherattaching means. It should be noted at this point that the hitch 15 maybe operatively connected to any end of the tractor 1. A steering member17, which may be a steering wheel 17′, is shown that may be operativelyconnected to pivot the front ground engaging wheels 8, 8′ for use inproviding steering to the vehicle 1. However, it is noted that anymanner type of steering member 17 may be used to steering the vehicle 1.Additionally, any manner of steering the tractor 1 may be chosen withsound engineering judgment including but not limited to Zero RadiusTurning steering. In that steering, and Zero Radius Turning steering, iswell known in the art no further explanation will be offered at thistime. A seat 19 may be attached to the frame 3 for an associatedoperator during operation of the tractor 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of the hitch 15 is shown. Thehitch 15, as previously mentioned, may include a base member 30. Thehitch 15 may also include an implement-mounting bracket 32. Theimplement-mounting bracket 32, or bracket member 32, may receive one ofany number of associated implements selectively connected thereto. Inthis manner, the bracket member 32 may receive a plow, not shown, thatis selectively fixedly connected to the bracket member 32 for use inmoving earth, snow or the like. It is noted that any type of associatedimplement may be operatively connected to the bracket member as chosenwith sound engineering judgment. Therefore, the bracket member 32 mayinclude mounting apertures 33 for use in receiving fasteners that mayselectively fixedly connected the associated implement to the bracketmember 32. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket member 32 may be arigid member having an A-frame configuration. The A-frame bracket member32 may have an apex 35 and first and second legs 37, 38. The legs 37, 38may each have first 37′, 38′ and second 37″, 38″ ends respectively. Thefirst ends 37′, 38′ may be juxtaposed to the apex 35 and fixedlyconnected thereto. The legs 37, 38 may be welded to the apex 35.However, any means of securing the legs 37, 38 to the apex 35 may bechosen with sound engineering judgment. It is noted at this point thatany material may be used to construct the bracket member 32 that ischosen with sound engineering judgment.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, FIG. 3 shows the hitch assembly 15having a hitch-mounting bracket 40 or base member 40, which may befixedly attached to the frame 3 of the tractor 1, not shown in FIG. 3.The hitch-mounting bracket 40 may be formed from two side plates 42, 43,an upper cross plate 46 and a lower cross plate 47. The two side plates42, 43 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other and orientedsubstantially vertical. The generally planar upper cross plate 46 has afirst and second ends and may be affixed to side plates 42, 43 at eachof the respective ends and more specifically at an upper end of the basemember 40. The base member 40 may have a plurality of openings 49fashioned therein for use in fixedly securing the base member 40 to theframe 3 of the tractor 1. Inasmuch as fastening means and fastening abase member to a frame are well known in the art, any such means may bechosen with sound engineering judgment for securing the base member 40to the frame 3 of the tractor 1. It is contemplated in an alternateembodiment that the base member 40 may be integrally formed with theframe 3 of the tractor 1. However, in the preferred embodiment, the basemember 40 is a separate member and may be fixedly connected to the frame3 in any manner chosen with sound engineering judgment.

Referring again to FIG. 3 and now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows a top view ofthe hitch 15. The hitch 15 may include a support assembly 41 that may beconstructed from a generally tubular extension arm 52, crossbar 55 andleft and right side braces 56, 57. At the first end of the assembly 41,the crossbar 55, being generally cylindrical, may be disposed parallelto the upper cross plate 46 and pivotally attached between the sideplates 42, 43 of the base 40. The extension arm 52 may beperpendicularly rigidly attached to the crossbar 55 at a first end andextends away from the frame 3 of the tractor 1. First ends of the leftand right side braces 56, 57 may be fixedly attached to opposing ends ofthe crossbar 35 respectively, as shown in FIG. 4. Each of the secondsends of the left and right side braces 56, 57 and of the extension arm42 terminate at the second end of the support assembly 41 and arefixedly attached to a multi-axes hitch joint 60, which is discussed indetail below. In this manner, the first end of the elevating supportassembly 41 is pivotally attached with respect to the base member 40 foruse in raising and lowering the support assembly 41, the A-frame 32 andan associated implement. In other words, the support member 41 may bepivoted in a first direction up and down in a second direction withrespect to a horizontal plane.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the multi-axes hitch joint60, which may be a universal joint is rotatably connected to the secondend of the support assembly 41 and to the rearward side of the A-framemember 32 respectively. The universal joint 60 has two generallylongitudinal axle housings 75, 75′, which may be a single integralhousing member 75″, fixedly juxtaposed substantially perpendicular toeach other. Each of the axle housings 75, 75′ is generally cylindricalin configuration for use in receiving rotating axle members 72, 73.Bushings may be included within each of the axle housings for providingreduced friction contact during normal operation. The axle housing 75may subsequently be rotatably attached to the second end of the supportassembly 41. Similarly, axle housing 75′ may be rotatably with respectto the apex 35 of A-frame. In this manner, the universal joint 60, andconsequently the A-frame, is pivotally connected to the extension arm52. In the preferred embodiment, the first axle 72 and respective axlehousing 75 is attached about a longitudinal axis to the second end ofthe extension arm 52 and is disposed substantially parallel to ahorizontal plane. And the second axle housing 75′ is attached about alongitudinal axis to the rearward side of the A-frame 32 and is disposedsubstantially parallel to a vertical plane. In this way, the A-frame 32and associated implement can be rotated in a first direction up and downabout the first axle and in a second direction laterally side-to-sideabout the second axle.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 4 shows left and rightside motion hydraulic cylinders 70, 71 each having first and second endsfor use in providing power to laterally pivot the A-frame 32. Thepresent figures show the preferred embodiment of actuating the lateralpivoting motion of the A-frame 32 although any such means can be chosenwith sound engineering judgment such that equal force and oppositemotion is applied respectively to each of the legs 37, 38. The firstends of the cylinders 70, 71 are pivotally secured to the base member40, shown in FIG. 3. Likewise, the second ends of the cylinders 70, 71are pivotally secured to the each of the seconds ends of the legs 37,38, as shown in FIG. 4. In order to pivot the A-frame 32 in onedirection, hydraulic power is supplied to a first cylinder 70 or 71forcing the cylinder rod outward while simultaneously releasinghydraulic power to draw the opposing cylinder rod inward. It isimperative that the cylinder motions be actuated with equal and oppositeforce and speed to prevent binding of the multi-axes hitch joint 60.Equal and opposite motion is accomplished by communicating, with aconnecting hose 82, the first hydraulic ports of each of one side of thedouble acting cylinders 70, 71 thereby creating a closed hydraulicsystem, which is separated from the remaining hydraulic supply. In thisway, hydraulic fluid from the first port of the extending cylinder isdirected into the first port of the retracting cylinder thereby creatingequal and opposite force and motion.

Referring once again to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 shows a side view of acylinder support arm 89 extending from the base member 40. Aheight-adjusting or elevating cylinder 92 is also shown having first andsecond ends and a cylinder rod. The first end of the cylinder 92 ispivotally attached to the support arm 89. The cylinder rod extends fromthe second end of the cylinder 92 and is pivotally attached to the leftside brace 56 for use in controlling the elevation of the extension arm52. Hydraulic power supplied to and released from the cylinder 92accomplishes the raising and lowering of the cylinder rod andconsequently the extension arm 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 5 shows hydraulic fittings 95 andhoses 96 for supplying hydraulic fluid power to the cylinders 70, 71 and92. The fittings 95 may be of the quick connection type for ease ofinstallation of the power supplying components, which may be hydraulicpumps, not shown. Additionally tubing 98 may be used channel fluid powerto the appropriate actuator as is well known in the art. It is notedthat any manner of supplying fluid power to the actuators 70, 71 and 92may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. FIG. 6 shows a controlvalve 102 that may be operably connected to the hydraulic system viahoses 96 and tubes 98 in a manner well known in the art. The valve 102provides selective control of the hydraulic power, supplied from a pump,not shown, to the cylinders 70, 71 and 92. A lever 104 may be operablyconnected to the valve 102, which provides a control means by which theassociated operator may selectively actuate the valve 102 consequentlysupplying hydraulic power to the cylinders 70, 71 and 92. This mayfunction to actuate the elevating cylinder 92 lifting the A-frame member32 up in a first elevating direction and down in second elevatingdirection. Likewise, the lateral cylinders 70, 71 when engaged functionto maneuver the A-frame member 32 laterally side to side in first andsecond directions. As mentioned previously, the first ports of thecylinders 70, 71 may be directly connected together. In this manner,when one of the cylinders 70, 71 is engaged fluid power may be directedinto the second port 111, 111′ of that cylinder. Resultantly, fluidpower is directed out of the second port of the first lateral cylinderthrough the hose 82 into the second port of the second lateral cylinder,forcing the piston of the second lateral cylinder inward. In otherwords, when the first lateral cylinder is engaged fluid from the firstlateral cylinder actuates the second lateral cylinder. Functionally,when the first lateral cylinder is engaged via the control valve 102 andlever 104, the same valve 102 and lever 104 may shift a hydraulic valveto connected the first port of the second lateral cylinder to tank in amanner well known in the art. It this way, the lateral cylinders 70, 71engage in unison and move simultaneously, thus preventing the hitch 15from binding during operation. It is noted that any configuration ofhydraulic circuitry may be chosen engage the actuators of the presentinvention that is consistent with the description of the presentinvention.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, it is to be understood that these embodiments are providedby way of example only and that the invention is not to be construed asbeing limited thereto but only by proper scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A hitch assembly for use on an associated vehicle,comprising: a base member; an extension arm having first and secondends, the first end of the extension arm being operatively rotatablyconnected with respect to the base member; a bracket member pivotallyconnected with respect to the second end of the extension arm, whereinthe bracket member has an apex and first and second distal ends; asingle elevating actuator operatively communicated between the basemember and the extension arm, the elevating actuator being actuated byan associated power source; a single universal joint member operativelyconnected between the extension arm and the bracket member, wherein theuniversal joint is operatively connected between the second end of theextension arm and the apex; first and second fluid cylinders havingfirst and second ends respectively, wherein the first ends of the firstand second fluid cylinders are operatively pivotally connected to thebase member, and, wherein the second ends of the first and second fluidcylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the first and seconddistal ends of the bracket member respectively.
 2. The hitch assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second fluid cylinders are actuatedsimultaneously.
 3. The hitch assembly of claim 2, wherein the first andsecond fluid cylinders have first and second ports respectively andwherein the first port of the first fluid cylinder is operativelydirectly connected to the first port of the second cylinder for use insimultaneously actuating the first and second cylinders.
 4. The hitchassembly of claim 3, wherein the connection between the first port ofthe first fluid cylinder and the first port of the second fluid cylindercreates a closed fluid system that operates independently from otherfluid systems.
 5. The hitch assembly of claim 4, wherein the forcecreated by the first fluid cylinder is equal and opposite to the forcecreated by the second fluid cylinder.
 6. The hitch assembly of claim 2,wherein movement of the first and second fluid cylinders prevent bindingduring operation.
 7. The hitch assembly of claim 3 further comprising: aremote control mechanism for actuating the hitch assembly.
 8. A hitchassembly for use on an associated vehicle, comprising: a base member; anextension arm having first and second ends, the first end of theextension arm being operatively rotatably connected with respect to thebase member; a bracket member pivotally connected with respect to thesecond end of the extension arm, wherein the bracket member has an apexand first and second distal ends; at least a first elevating actuatoroperatively communicated between the base member and the extension arm,the first elevating actuator being actuated by an associated powersource; and, first and second fluid cylinders having first and secondends respectively, the first ends of the first and second fluidcylinders are operatively pivotally connected to the base member, thesecond ends of the first and second fluid cylinders are operativelypivotally connected to the first and second distal ends of the bracketmember respectively, wherein the first and second fluid cylinders havefirst and second ports respectively and wherein the first port of thefirst fluid cylinder is operatively directly connected to the first portof the second cylinder for use in simultaneously actuating the first andsecond cylinders.
 9. The hitch assembly of claim 8, wherein theconnection between the first port of the first fluid cylinder and thefirst port of the second fluid cylinder creates a closed fluid systemthat operates independently from other fluid systems.
 10. The hitchassembly of claim 9, wherein the force created by the first fluidcylinder is equal and opposite to the force created by the second fluidcylinder.
 11. The hitch assembly of claim 10, wherein movement of thefirst and second fluid cylinders prevent binding during operation. 12.The hitch assembly of claim 10 further comprising: a remote controlmechanism for actuating the hitch assembly.